Last night, at the car meet, i ran across a guy with an M3. He seemed pretty cool so i made conversation. Turns out its a 2005, pretty low miles etc.. And im pretty much drooling and he offers to take me for a spin, and JEEEZ those are AWESOME! They pull so hard even with the AC on lol.. I tell you, no joke, after i got out, i was ready to sell my MINI on the spot!

 

Yeah, I'm right there w you. Every time I see one on the road, it tugs at my heart strings.

 

When I see one Bimmer, I feel like I have seen them all. So I checked on images.google.com to see the E46 M3. To me it looks like all the rest. In this case, is it the power that makes it so attractive?

I look at all the different series of new BMWs, and can't understand what makes one worth $50K, and another $100+K, when I don't see any difference. Do you have to be an aficionado to see subtle differences, or is there something I am totally overlooking?

 

Also a big fan of the E46 M3 although with gas prices nowadays...

 

Oldsbear, it's not just the power, it's, well, EVERYTHING. Take the fit and finish and the driving quality and quadruple it. I've had the chance to drive a supercharged 46, and all I can say is OH MY GOD. Insane amounts of power, but it's probably one of the best balanced, best driving cars I've been in. And that exhaust note is second only to the new mustang 302 boss/laguna seca...

 

If you want FUN, go for a test drive in a 135...no the 128 is not equivalent, lol. Yes the E46's are fun, but maintenance costs as well as mods are "an arm and a leg" compared to MINIs. A new MINI starts at $20K and goes up to $35-45K with options. A new E46 is a $50K+..or E92 (current model)..

Btw for those that don't know, the E46 M3 is for 2001-2006 years.

 

M3 = maintenance (or mods) costs x 3

 

They are great cars...it's one of the only cars I could consider trading the MINI for. They can be had in the low 20's now. Although if you think they are "omg-fast", I'd say you haven't been in too many cars I can beat them all day long in my R56.

However, the newer E90/92/93 V8 M3 is much more powerful. I have a friend with a supercharged E90 M3...now that thing is absolutely wicked...~640hp.

 

Yes I know they aren't the fastest but it was a visceral experience.. I almost went thru with trading my MINI for an M3 but then again, those cars may be somewhat affordable but waaaay outta my league (20 year old=high as FUUU insurance

 

Out of all the M// cars I still think that the E30 M3 is the best! The classic look is backed up by a really surprisingly FUN all around, un diluted, true ferformance car. Not with all the electric nannies the put into cars now for the un experianced, and those that just plain SUCK at driving.

 

+1 DICKS GARAGE. I will own an E30 one day.

 

Other than the power, what makes the 135 so much better? 240hp is still plenty, especially compared to a mini. I drove one recently (6 spd) and thought it was fun, felt more nimble than the 3 series.

My dad is getting rid of his honda and wants well, a real car again. right now he's looking for an e46 330ci ZHP model. But I also told him about the 128. I'm thinking a base 128i with the M package, 6 spd trans, and a few accessories (black kidney grilles, carbon fiber rear lip) will be pretty sweet.

 

The M3? It can be fun if driven like this..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08CHDdr9BfU&NR=1


But the E60 M5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_4s-...eature=related

You really need to learn how to drive it before you can truly enjoy it.
It loves riding around at 5,000 RPM, ready to pounce.
Until you experience the ride, you will never understand.
It will walk slowly away from a Ferrari F430, even on a course like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSqzR...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNemK-xKfZY

 

I liked the girl driving the E60 M5 better than I did the car.

But it is nice how a flick of the wrist brings the back end right back in. Real nice on the next vid.

 

I have a couple of friends with E30 M3s. They're either always being repaired or garage queens. They don't use it the way it was supposed to be used. Rode shotgun in one of them. Sure, it felt raw but it felt S-L-O-W to be brutally honest

 

E46 M3s really aren't all that quick. My father has an '02 Z3M Roadster (S54), which is a few hundred pounds lighter. One of my undergrad buddies (this was maybe ~6 years ago) and I decided to do a "comparative analysis" of acceleration between his E46 M3 and my dad's Z3M once. Z3M had no problems leaving it behind.

Methinks a bolt-on/cammed R53 MCS JCW could give it a run for it's money. ... From a roll anyway, lol.

 

Pat, If you liked Sabine Schmitz in the first videos, then lets slow it down a bit and watch the next two videos.. 0-60 in 23 seconds.. Lets go race...
These are not for everyone, but if you like stories, this one is pretty good.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQJKQjXpGQA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KiC03_wVjc&NR=1